🌱 Winter Scammers + Family Of Victim Receives Holiday Gift Donations

Good morning, Atlanta! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the holiday season, so you may not see as many newsletters in your inbox between now and the New Year. We will resume our normal schedule during the first week of January. For now, here’s what you need to know about what’s happening around town, including news about:

• Authorities are warning the community of scammers who might be out for money during the arctic winter weather.
• Atlanta residents donated gifts to the family of Zyion Charles, who was shot during Thanksgiving weekend.
• A woman was carjacked in a popular Publix parking lot in Atlanta.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny and very cold. High: 26 Low: 18.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and cold. High: 33 Low: 18.
• Monday: Mostly sunny and cold. High: 38 Low: 23.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. Georgia's Insurance Commissioner is warning residents about scammers during the cold weather. Crooks play the part of contractors when severe weather strikes, including tree damage. Residents should contact their insurance company before signing the paperwork. (WSB Atlanta)
2. The Atlanta community came together to help the family of Zyion Charles, who was shot and killed during Thanksgiving weekend. An app created by the nonprofit Purposity hand-delivered gifts to Charles' family. Charles' grandmother, Sandra Durden, was grateful for the community, school, and all residents who gave back. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. Atlanta police are investigating an incident where a woman was carjacked in the parking lot of a Publix. An unknown man approached the woman, demanding her keys after showing her a gun. The victim was not injured during the incident. (WSB Atlanta)
4. Take the opportunity to indulge in brunch on New Year's Eve. Visit the link for some spots to treat yourself, whether for the hangover from the night before or to celebrate 2023! Atlanta has some of the best places to grab a bite. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
5. The wind and cold temperatures have caused a significant delay in transportation for the holiday weekend. Passengers at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport waited yesterday to find out if their flights were delayed or canceled due to the extreme weather. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

This weekend in Atlanta:

Saturday, December 24

• A Christmas Carol At Alliance Theatre (1:00 PM)
• Christmas Eve Dinner At Brassica (5:00 PM)

Sunday, December 25

• Christmas Brunch Buffet At Parkwoods (11:00 AM)

Monday, December 26

• Library Scavenger Hunt At DeKalb County Public Library (All Day)

From my notebook:

• Take a look at the festive snap of Atlanta city traffic posted at the link! (Atlanta via Instagram)
• Are you looking for more to do this weekend if you don't have holiday plans? Visit the link for some ideas to fill your schedule! (11Alive.com WXIA)
• Police released photos of a new person of interest for a deadly shooting on the 17th Street Bridge and are asking for the public's help to identify the suspect. (WSB Atlanta)

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Events:

• Online webinar about our types of roofing in Atlanta, GA (January 1)
• Lori Williams - Birthday / Live Jazz Concert (January 22)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all next week for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.